Top Story

  Editorial

  Metro

  Kashmir

  Business

  Sports

  Scoop

  Societal

  Health

    Cartoon

HAMILTON (New Zealand): Century makers Stephen Fleming and Daniel Vettori plundered ineffective Pakistan bowling in a record-breaking spree as New Zealand piled up a massive 563 in their first innings on the second day of the first Test against Pakistan.

Pakistan were 118 for two at stumps Saturday after beginning their reply in rollicking fashion until both openers fell in the space of three overs, and then the chase became more circumspect.

If Fleming was the star for New Zealand with his 192, Vettori was the hero. He came in at number nine and stayed till the end notching his first Test century with an unbeaten 137.

New Zealand's 563 is a record against Pakistan, Fleming and Vettori set an eighth wicket record partnership against Pakistan of 125, while Vettori and Daryl Tuffy posted a ninth wicket record of 99.

The run fest was an unexpected outcome after Pakistan won the toss and sent New Zealand in on what appeared to be dream conditions for seam bowlers.

Black Caps skipper Fleming admitted to some trepidation at batting first and it was no surprise when opener Lou Vincent fell cheaply.

That brought Fleming to the crease for a majestic stand which included 31 fours, and aided by wayward bowling and a sloppy 57 extras, the captain anchored three century stands and led his side to a commanding total.

But after 476 minutes at the crease, Fleming was dismissed with a lazy effort soon after lunch when Umar Gul had him trapped plumb in front and there was no hesitation by umpire Steve Davis in raising the finger.

Fleming's sixth Test century was also his second highest Test score, while Vettori's maiden century in his 49th Test was among the top 10 highest scores of all number nine Test batsmen.

Playing on his home ground at Westpac Park, Vettori brought up his 100 on the first ball after drinks in the afternoon session when he cover drove Mohammad Sami to the boundary for one of 24 boundaries including a six in his innings.

Tuffy chimed in with his highest score before being clean bowled by Umar Gul for 35.

For Pakistan it was a bowling performance to forget. The New Zealand score was the highest first innings against a Pakistan side after they won the toss and the extras were a record high for a New Zealand innings.

The one leading light was Shabbir Ahmed who ended with a thoroughly deserved five wicket haul and was by far the most economical of the bowlers.

Sami, who went into the match as the most experienced frontline bowler following the late withdrawal of the injured Shoaib Akhtar, gifted 15 no balls from his 27 overs, and when the new ball was taken he was removed from the attack after just three overs.

But Sami was not the only wayward bowler. Pakistan's opening batsmen Imran Farhat and Taufeeq Umar set out at a run-a-ball pace and saw off New Zealand quick Ian Butler after he yielded 29 runs in just three overs.

But both fell in quick succession. Farhat caught behind for 20 when Jacob Oram came into the attack, then Umar fell victim to Tuffey for 27.

At stumps Yasir Hameed was not out on 36 with Yousuf Youhana on 24.

New Zealand v Pakistan first Test scoreboard

New Zealand 1st innings

M. Richardson run out (Gul) 44
L. Vincent c Inzamam b Shabbir 8
S. Fleming lbw Gul 192
S. Styris c Umar b Kaneria 33
C. McMillan c Umar b Kaneria 22
C. Cairns c Khan b Shabbir 11
J. Oram b Shabbir 6
R. Hart c Youhana b Shabbir 10
D. Vettori not out 137*
D. Tuffey b Gul 35
I. Butler c Farhat b Shabbir 7
Extras (4b, 12lb, 9w, 33nb) 58
Total: 563

Bowling:

Sami 27-2-126-0 (15b)
Shabbir 43.2-9-117-5 (5nb, 2w)
Razaaq 18-2- 74-0 (8nb)
Gul 31-5-118-2 (5nb 2w)
Kaneria 32-6-112-2
Overs: 151.2
Fall of wickets: 16, 117, 217, 249, 266, 274, 314, 439, 538, 563

Pakistan 1st innings

I. Farhat c Hart b Oram 20
T. Umar c Butler b Tuffey 27
Y. Hameed not out 36
Y. Youhana not out 24
Extras (3lb, 8nb) 11
Total (two wickets) 118

To bat: Inzamam-ul-Haq, A. Razzaq, M. Khan, M. Sami, Shabbir Ahmed, D Kaneria, U. Gul

Bowling:

Tuffey 7-2-26-1 (2nb)
Butler 6-0-41-0 (2nb)
Oram 5-1-18-1 (1nb)
Cairns 4-0-14-0 (2nb)
Vettori 6-0-16-0 (1nb)
Overs: 28
Fall of wickets: 47, 55

Toss: Pakistan
Umpires: Dave Orchard (South Africa), Steve Davis (Australia).
Match referee: Chris Broad (England).